Zebulun, Lot of

The lot of Zebulun was the territory allotted to the tribe of Zebulun in the distribution of Canaan under Joshua (Joshua 19:10–16). The allotment was in lower Galilee, bounded by Asher on the west and northwest, Naphtali on the north and northeast, and Issachar on the south. It included the cities of Sarid, Chisloth-tabor, Daberath, Japhia, Gath-hepher (hometown of Jonah), Beth-lehem of Zebulun (not the Bethlehem of Judah), and Bethel. The plain of Jezreel lay to the south of the territory. Though the tribe's inheritance was inland, Jacob's blessing prophesied maritime connections (Genesis 49:13) — possibly reflecting Zebulun's later role as a commercial intermediary between the Mediterranean coast and the interior trade routes.